vocational training courses must use internships in a more targeted manner

NOS News•today, 04:49

Vocational training must allow prospective professionals to learn in practice “purposefully and sparingly”. The courses must use as many alternatives as possible for things that they can also learn elsewhere. The Education Council advises this in an advisory report published today A pressing profession.

The reason for the call is that companies and organizations do not have sufficient capacity to guide students. They often suffer from a staff shortage. This also poses another risk: internship abuse. “For example, if students have to carry out work without any form of guidance. Or if they are deployed as full-time, often unpaid, employees, so that their training in practice is not central. All this hinders them in their preparation for professional practice and later in exercising their trade or profession,” writes the Education Council.

Internship abuse also increases the risk of study delays, dropout and early school leaving, according to the council. “And this will result in an even greater shortage of well-trained professionals.”

The Education Council advises that students, where possible, gain experience in situations that simulate real life. Practical assignments suggested by the business community can also be carried out in the school. The council states that some experiences gained during the corona pandemic may still be useful.

The Education Council also recommends that training courses and professional practice agree on ‘principles of quality’ at a national level. For example, to ensure that the student’s activities in the practical part match the phase of the vocational training and the student’s learning goals.

In the advisory report, the council also argues for minimum internship allowances for students. In addition, the council points out the importance of the accessibility of internships, good guidance for students and combating internship discrimination.